Page 16 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

He eyed me over, then smirked. “Your guard sent me up,” he told me.

“We are to primp,” I replied.

Cormag huffed a laugh.

“You need a proper attendant, King Consort,” Hilda scolded him, leaving me for a moment to go to Cormag’s trunk from which she withdrew a shirt, vest, and trousers—after huffing in frustration after going through and discarding several shirts before finding one suitable. “And a tailor,” she added. “Old Ulixes looked after your father, Queen Cartimandua, but I have no place to look after the consort. Kamden is doing well enough, but he has no experience looking after a king. With your permission, I will find you someone,” she told Cormag, who looked like a wild thing caught in a trap. He looked to me for help.

“Either we find someone or you can let Hilda assist you. She is very deft at scrubbing behind one’s ears.”

Cormag shifted. “I will arrange it.”

“Good,” Hilda said as she shook out a doublet. “Those buckles need polishing,” she told him, gesturing to his clothing, then rejoined me, pulling the strings on my bodice. “Too much on your plate at dinner. You’ll need this let out by midwinter if you keep at it,” she said, then tied the bindings tight, leaving me gasping. “Now sit, and I’ll put up your hair.”

Knowing when Hilda was not to be trifled with, I sat and let her work while Cormag redressed. Hilda pulled my long black locks in a fanciful bun and trimmed them with a silver comb with red stones.

She stood before me, looked me over, then nodded, satisfied with her work.

Cormag appeared again, tucking in his shirt as he came around from his dressing curtain. Like a mother hen, Hilda wentto help him, tucking in the tail of his shirt and adjusting the laces on his doublet.

The expression on Cormag’s face was priceless. I smothered a laugh behind my hand.

When she was done, Hilda nodded. “Now, be off with you.”

At that, Cormag joined me and quickly ushered me from the room.

“Did she do that just to ensure I obtained a footman?”

“I have no doubt.”

We both laughed.

“Then make haste, Husband,” I told him. “Or Hilda will be at you for a shave.”

“May the gods come between me and her blade.”

The great hallwas festively adorned. Tapers had been lit, and colorful bundles of late autumn wildflowers decorated the table. Musicians sat in one corner of the room playing. A feast was being set out. I smelled roasting boar and venison, and my nose also picked up the scents of blackberries and honey. Had the kitchens made cakes?

Kamden met Cormag and me at the door. “All is ready, my queen, King Consort.”

“Thank you, Kamden.”

Cormag whistled to the dogs, motioning for them to take their favorite spot out of the way. Fergus went reluctantly, giving me long, sorrowful looks for being banished.

“Poor pup,” I said with a laugh.

“You stole my dog as you stole my heart.”

“Perhaps it is not me he’s looking after,” I replied, setting my hand on my stomach and giving my husband a knowing look.

“He is Votadini. Of course he has the foresight to watch over you both.”

“Cormag.” Aedan, who was also cleaned up, waved for my husband to join him. “Come. Let us tell Andoc of ourmisadventures.”

“Misadventures?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at my husband.

“There was a bet. I lost. I may need to go to Isurium Brigantum to pay my dues. I’ll tell you later,” he said.

I chuckled but then noticed Lady Flora coming my way.

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